[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":222},["ShallowReactive",2],{"page:faq":3},{"slug":4,"title":5,"description":6,"blocks":7},"faq","Frequently asked questions","Plain-English answers to common questions about military retirement, retirement pay, TRICARE, VA benefits, transition and education benefits.",[8,11,216],{"type":9,"headline":5,"intro":10},"hero","Short answers to the questions veterans ask most often about retiring from the military. Select a question to read its answer.",{"type":12,"contentsHeading":13,"sections":14},"faqAccordion","Jump to a section",[15,34,59,81,103,125,141,160,197],{"id":16,"heading":17,"items":18},"general","General Retirement Planning",[19,22,25,28,31],{"question":20,"answer":21},"1. When should I start preparing to retire from the military?","Begin preparing 18–24 months before retirement to allow time for TAP, VA claims, finances, and career planning.",{"question":23,"answer":24},"2. How do I know if I’m eligible to retire?","Active-duty members usually qualify after 20 years. Guard and Reserve members qualify after 20 good years, with pay starting at age 60 or earlier in some cases.",{"question":26,"answer":27},"3. What is the difference between retiring and separating?","Retirement includes pension and benefits. Separation does not include retirement pay.",{"question":29,"answer":30},"4. How does my retirement date affect my benefits?","Your retirement date affects pay timing, COLA eligibility, VA claims, and healthcare enrollment.",{"question":32,"answer":33},"5. What documents should I gather?","DD-214, medical records, service records, marriage and birth certificates.",{"id":35,"heading":36,"items":37},"pay","Pay & Retirement Systems",[38,41,44,47,50,53,56],{"question":39,"answer":40},"6. How is military retirement pay calculated?","Based on years of service and retirement system. High-3 generally pays 2.5% per year of service.",{"question":42,"answer":43},"7. What’s the difference between High-3 and BRS?","High-3 offers a larger pension. BRS combines a smaller pension with TSP matching.",{"question":45,"answer":46},"8. When will I receive my first retirement paycheck?","Usually 30–45 days after retirement.",{"question":48,"answer":49},"9. Can I work and still receive retirement pay?","Yes. Civilian employment does not affect military retirement pay.",{"question":51,"answer":52},"10. How is military retirement pay taxed?","Federally taxable. State taxation varies.",{"question":54,"answer":55},"11. Does my state tax military retirement pay?","Many states exempt it fully or partially.",{"question":57,"answer":58},"12. What is COLA?","COLA adjusts retirement pay annually for inflation.",{"id":60,"heading":61,"items":62},"healthcare","Healthcare & Insurance",[63,66,69,72,75,78],{"question":64,"answer":65},"13. What healthcare options do I have?","TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select for most retirees.",{"question":67,"answer":68},"14. What is TRICARE Prime vs Select?","Prime has assigned providers. Select offers flexibility with higher costs.",{"question":70,"answer":71},"15. When do I qualify for TRICARE For Life?","At age 65 with Medicare Parts A and B.",{"question":73,"answer":74},"16. How does Medicare work with TRICARE?","Medicare is primary; TRICARE For Life is secondary.",{"question":76,"answer":77},"17. What if I delay healthcare enrollment?","You may face coverage gaps or penalties.",{"question":79,"answer":80},"18. Can my family keep TRICARE?","Yes, eligible dependents remain covered.",{"id":82,"heading":83,"items":84},"va","VA Benefits",[85,88,91,94,97,100],{"question":86,"answer":87},"19. Should I file a VA claim before retiring?","Yes. Filing through BDD can speed up benefits.",{"question":89,"answer":90},"20. VA disability vs retirement pay?","Retirement pay is earned; VA disability is tax-free compensation.",{"question":92,"answer":93},"21. Can I receive both?","Yes, through CRDP or CRSC if eligible.",{"question":95,"answer":96},"22. What is CRDP?","Allows eligible retirees to receive full retirement and VA disability pay.",{"question":98,"answer":99},"23. What is CRSC?","Tax-free compensation for combat-related disabilities.",{"question":101,"answer":102},"24. How do I get my medical records?","Request them from your military treatment facility or DoD portals.",{"id":104,"heading":105,"items":106},"transition","Transition & Career Planning",[107,110,113,116,119,122],{"question":108,"answer":109},"25. What is TAP?","Transition Assistance Program prepares you for civilian life.",{"question":111,"answer":112},"26. How do I write a civilian résumé?","Translate military skills into leadership and results.",{"question":114,"answer":115},"27. What certifications can I earn?","Many military skills align with civilian certifications.",{"question":117,"answer":118},"28. What jobs are common for retirees?","Federal service, contracting, logistics, management.",{"question":120,"answer":121},"29. Should I consider federal employment?","Yes. Federal jobs offer stability and benefits.",{"question":123,"answer":124},"30. How does veterans’ preference work?","Eligible veterans receive hiring preference.",{"id":126,"heading":127,"items":128},"education","Education Benefits",[129,132,135,138],{"question":130,"answer":131},"31. Can I use the GI Bill after retirement?","Yes, for education, training, or certifications.",{"question":133,"answer":134},"32. Can I transfer GI Bill benefits?","Transfers must be completed while on active duty.",{"question":136,"answer":137},"33. What education benefits do dependents have?","GI Bill transfers, DEA benefits, and state programs.",{"question":139,"answer":140},"34. Are there benefits for second careers?","Yes, many retirees retrain using education benefits.",{"id":142,"heading":143,"items":144},"financial","Financial Planning",[145,148,151,154,157],{"question":146,"answer":147},"35. What happens to my TSP?","You can leave it, roll it over, or withdraw funds.",{"question":149,"answer":150},"36. Should I roll over my TSP?","Depends on fees, investments, and goals.",{"question":152,"answer":153},"37. How do I build a retirement budget?","Compare income sources to expenses.",{"question":155,"answer":156},"38. Common financial mistakes?","Overspending early and ignoring taxes.",{"question":158,"answer":159},"39. Should I use a financial advisor?","Yes, especially one familiar with military benefits.",{"id":161,"heading":162,"items":163},"legal","Legal, Family & Lifestyle",[164,167,170,173,176,179,182,185,188,191,194],{"question":165,"answer":166},"40. What is a DD-214?","Proof of service required for benefits.",{"question":168,"answer":169},"41. How do I update my information?","Update DFAS, DEERS, and the VA.",{"question":171,"answer":172},"42. What happens to my security clearance?","It usually expires unless maintained.",{"question":174,"answer":175},"43. Should I update my will?","Yes. Retirement is a major life change.",{"question":177,"answer":178},"44. What is SBP?","Survivor Benefit Plan provides income to survivors.",{"question":180,"answer":181},"45. Is SBP worth it?","Depends on family financial needs.",{"question":183,"answer":184},"46. How does retirement affect family?","It impacts income, healthcare, and routines.",{"question":186,"answer":187},"47. What benefits do spouses receive?","Healthcare, education, and employment assistance.",{"question":189,"answer":190},"48. How do I choose where to live?","Consider taxes, cost of living, and healthcare.",{"question":192,"answer":193},"49. Can I use base privileges?","Yes. Retirees retain base access.",{"question":195,"answer":196},"50. What base benefits are available?","Commissary, exchange, gyms, and recreation.",{"id":198,"heading":199,"items":200},"concerns","Common Concerns",[201,204,207,210,213],{"question":202,"answer":203},"51. Common retirement mistakes?","Waiting too long and skipping VA claims.",{"question":205,"answer":206},"52. How do I avoid gaps in benefits?","Confirm all start dates and enrollments.",{"question":208,"answer":209},"53. What if DFAS makes a mistake?","Contact DFAS immediately with documentation.",{"question":211,"answer":212},"54. Who can help me after retirement?","VSOs, the VA, DFAS, and retiree offices.",{"question":214,"answer":215},"55. Where can I find official resources?","Use official DoD, VA, and DFAS websites.",{"type":217,"heading":218,"cta":219},"ctaBand","Not seeing your question?",{"label":220,"to":221},"Ask Greg a question","\u002Fcontact\u002F",1784742024372]